US20210317813A1 - A multirotor wind turbine - Google Patents

A multirotor wind turbine Download PDF

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Publication number
US20210317813A1
US20210317813A1 US17/287,576 US201917287576A US2021317813A1 US 20210317813 A1 US20210317813 A1 US 20210317813A1 US 201917287576 A US201917287576 A US 201917287576A US 2021317813 A1 US2021317813 A1 US 2021317813A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
tower
wind turbine
energy generating
wall
space
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US17/287,576
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jonas Lerche Schomacker
Torben Ladegaard Baun
Per Holten-Møller
Peter Bøttcher
Jesper Lykkegaard Neubauer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Vestas Wind Systems AS
Original Assignee
Vestas Wind Systems AS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Vestas Wind Systems AS filed Critical Vestas Wind Systems AS
Assigned to VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S reassignment VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: HOLTEN-MØLLER, Per, NEUBAUER, Jesper Lykkegaard, Schomacker, Jonas Lerche, BØTTCHER, Peter, BAUN, TORBEN LADEGAARD
Publication of US20210317813A1 publication Critical patent/US20210317813A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D1/00—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially parallel to the air flow entering the rotor 
    • F03D1/02—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially parallel to the air flow entering the rotor  having a plurality of rotors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D13/00—Assembly, mounting or commissioning of wind motors; Arrangements specially adapted for transporting wind motor components
    • F03D13/20—Arrangements for mounting or supporting wind motors; Masts or towers for wind motors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D13/00—Assembly, mounting or commissioning of wind motors; Arrangements specially adapted for transporting wind motor components
    • F03D13/20—Arrangements for mounting or supporting wind motors; Masts or towers for wind motors
    • F03D13/25—Arrangements for mounting or supporting wind motors; Masts or towers for wind motors specially adapted for offshore installation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D7/00—Controlling wind motors 
    • F03D7/02—Controlling wind motors  the wind motors having rotation axis substantially parallel to the air flow entering the rotor
    • F03D7/0204—Controlling wind motors  the wind motors having rotation axis substantially parallel to the air flow entering the rotor for orientation in relation to wind direction
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D80/00—Details, components or accessories not provided for in groups F03D1/00 - F03D17/00
    • F03D80/50—Maintenance or repair
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2230/00—Manufacture
    • F05B2230/60—Assembly methods
    • F05B2230/61—Assembly methods using auxiliary equipment for lifting or holding
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2240/00—Components
    • F05B2240/90—Mounting on supporting structures or systems
    • F05B2240/91—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a stationary structure
    • F05B2240/916—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a stationary structure with provision for hoisting onto the structure
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/70—Wind energy
    • Y02E10/72—Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/70—Wind energy
    • Y02E10/727—Offshore wind turbines
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/70—Wind energy
    • Y02E10/728—Onshore wind turbines
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P70/00—Climate change mitigation technologies in the production process for final industrial or consumer products
    • Y02P70/50—Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a multirotor wind turbine comprising a tower extending in a vertical direction from a tower bottom to a tower top.
  • the wind turbine further comprises a load carrying structure extending transverse to the vertical direction and arranged to carry at least two energy generating units, the load carrying structure being carried rotationally by the tower via a yaw arrangement.
  • Wind turbines normally comprise one or more energy generating units, each energy generating unit comprising a load carrying hub carrying one or more wind turbine blades.
  • the wind acts on the wind turbine blades, thereby causing the load carrying hub to rotate.
  • the rotational movements of the load carrying hub are transferred to a generator, either via a gear arrangement or directly, in the case that the wind turbine is of a so-called direct drive type.
  • electrical energy is generated, which may be supplied to a power grid.
  • Some wind turbines are provided with two or more energy generating units in order to increase the total power produced by the wind turbine, without having to provide the wind turbine with one very large, and therefore heavy, energy generating unit. Such wind turbines are sometimes referred to as ‘multirotor wind turbines’.
  • Traditional horizontal axis wind turbines sometimes utilise the roof of the energy generating unit as platform for hoisting spare parts to and from the energy generating unit. Sometimes, the roof is used also as a landing platform for a helicopter.
  • the roof of the energy generating unit is a natural choice for establishing access to the wind turbine for helicopters or drones or for hoisting spare parts to and from the wind turbine.
  • such a platform may provide easy and safe access to the energy generating unit.
  • accessing an energy generating unit in this manner is highly dependent on favourable weather conditions.
  • the energy generating units may be carried by a load carrying structure which is, in turn, connected to a tower via a yaw bearing structure.
  • a centre of gravity of the energy generating units is displaced with respect to a longitudinal, vertical axis defined by the tower. Due to the displacement, the roof of the energy generating units may become unsuitable as a platform for hoisting or landing purpose.
  • the invention provides a multirotor wind turbine comprising:
  • the invention provides a multirotor wind turbine, i.e. a wind turbine comprising two or more energy generating units.
  • the multirotor wind turbine comprises a tower, a yaw arrangement and at least two energy generating units.
  • the tower is formed by a tower wall extending between a tower bottom and a tower top. Accordingly, the tower is a substantially vertical structure, similar to a tower of a traditional single rotor wind turbine.
  • the tower wall defines a boundary between an interior part of the tower and the outside of the tower.
  • the yaw arrangement is carried by the tower and comprises an outer wall being rotationally suspended about the tower.
  • the outer wall may be a solid wall, or it may have a lattice structure or the like.
  • the term ‘yaw arrangement’ should be interpreted to mean an arrangement which allows rotational movements of a structure relative to the tower of the wind turbine about a substantially vertical rotation axis. In the case of the multirotor wind turbine according to the invention, it is the outer wall which rotates relative to the tower.
  • Each of the energy generating units is carried by an arm extending from the outer wall. Accordingly, the arms, and thereby the energy generating units, are moved along with the outer wall when it performs yawing movements relative to the tower. Thus, the yawing movements direct the rotors of the energy generating units into the incoming wind.
  • each of the energy generating units thereby typically comprises a rotor, carrying a set of wind turbine blades, and a generator.
  • the energy generating unit may further comprise a gear arrangement interconnecting the rotor and the generator.
  • the generator, and possibly the gear arrangement, may be arranged inside a nacelle.
  • the arms may extend from the outer wall along substantially opposite directions, i.e. from opposing sides of the tower.
  • the arms may extend along directions which are substantially perpendicular to the direction of the tower, or they may extend along directions forming an acute angle with the direction of the tower.
  • the arms may be connected to the outer wall in such a manner that a line interconnecting the attachment positions of the two arms passes the tower. Alternatively, such an interconnecting line may intersect the tower.
  • the multirotor wind turbine further comprises a load management system for hoisting articles from the tower bottom to each energy generating unit via the yaw arrangement.
  • articles e.g. in the form of spare parts, tools, etc.
  • the multirotor wind turbine further comprises a load management system for hoisting articles from the tower bottom to each energy generating unit via the yaw arrangement.
  • the articles being transported by means of the load management system thereby follow a transport path which goes through the yaw arrangement, i.e. through a part of the multirotor wind turbine where elements, such as walls, are potentially moving rotationally relative to each other.
  • the arms are connected to the outer wall, it is possible to gain access between an interior part of the tower and the energy generating units being carried by the arms, via the yaw arrangement and using the load management system, regardless of the yaw position of the yaw arrangement, i.e. independent of the angular position of the outer wall relative to the tower.
  • the path through the yaw arrangement may further form part of an escape path for personnel operating at or near the energy generating units being carried by the arms. Thereby personnel may escape via the tower, and thereby in a safe manner.
  • the multirotor wind turbine may comprise a yaw space formed between the tower and the outer wall.
  • the yaw space may be accessible for the load management system for hoisting the articles from the tower bottom to each of the energy generating units such that the articles pass through the yaw space.
  • the multirotor wind turbine according to the invention may further be a multirotor wind turbine, wherein:
  • the load management system is configured to hoist articles from the tower bottom to each energy generating unit through the internal tower space, the passage and the internal arm space.
  • the articles are transported all the way from the tower bottom to the energy generating units without leaving the interior of the multirotor wind turbine.
  • a yaw space is formed between the tower and the rotationally suspended outer wall.
  • the yaw space is closed in the sense that it spans the entire circumference of the tower angularly, and it is delimited by the tower wall and the outer wall, respectively.
  • the walls of the yaw space are therefore movable relative to each other.
  • the multirotor wind turbine forms a passage connecting the internal spaces of the tower and the arms, the wind turbine allows access for personnel and equipment, such as spare parts and/or tools, to and from the energy generating units via the internal arm and tower structures. Particularly in relation to off-shore installations, this provides increased safety and efficiency and facilitates operation independent of rough weather conditions, etc.
  • the yaw arrangement may advantageously be serviced from the yaw space.
  • the load management system may form a first transport section extending in a vertical direction in the internal tower space between the tower bottom and an intersection platform, a second transport section extending in a transverse direction along the intersection platform through the yaw space, and a third transport section extending in the internal arm space.
  • the load management system is divided into at least three portions, i.e. the first transport section, the second transport section and the third transport section.
  • Each of the transport sections defines a separate direction of movement, and each of the transport sections is associated with a specific part of the multirotor wind turbine.
  • the transport sections communicate with each other in the sense that they in cooperation define the entire transport path from the tower bottom to the energy generating units, and in the sense that articles being transported by means of the load management system can be transferred between the transport sections to allow the articles to be transported along the entire transport path from the tower bottom to a relevant energy generating unit.
  • transport sections are arranged in parts of the multirotor wind turbine which perform rotational movements relative to each other. Accordingly, dividing the load management system into sections in the manner described above allows a substantially continuous transport path to be obtained across parts which rotate relative to each other.
  • the first, the second and the third transport sections may be separate sections each forming an entrance point and an exit point such that the entry point of the first transport section can be accessed at the tower bottom, the exit point of the first transport section can be accessed at the entry of the second transport section, the exit point of the second transport section can be accessed at the entry of the third transport section and the exit of the third transport section can be accessed from one of the energy generating units.
  • the entry points and the exit points of the transport sections are positioned relative to each other in such a manner that an article being transported by means of the load management system can readily be transferred from one transport section to the next, thereby forming a substantially continuous transport path between the tower bottom and the energy generating unit.
  • the transfer of the articles may be performed in an automatic manner, or it may be performed manually, e.g. by an operator manually decoupling an article from one transport section and coupling it to the next transport section.
  • Each transport section may comprise individual control. According to this embodiment, the operation of each transport section is controlled individually, i.e. independent of the operation of any of the other transport sections. For instance, each transport section may be turned on or off individually, and/or the speed of each transport section may be controlled individually, or the transport direction may be selected individually.
  • a given transport section may be turned on only while an article is actually being transported along that transport section.
  • a transport speed may be selected which is in accordance with the article being transported, e.g. taking the weight of the article and/or delicacy of the article into account.
  • this will allow one article to be transported along one transport section simultaneously with another article being transported along another transport section, possibly at a different speed.
  • one transport section may be stopped in order to connect or disconnect an article to/from that transport section without stopping the transport of another article along another transport section.
  • At least one of the first, the second and the third transport section may comprise a rail structure with a motorised trolley.
  • the articles are moved along the rail structure and in a motorised manner. Thereby the manual handling required in order to move the articles is minimised.
  • the rail structure may be arranged at an elevated position, e.g. on a ceiling or the like, in which case the articles may be transported along the rail structure in a suspended manner.
  • the rail structure may be arranged on a wall or a floor.
  • the multirotor wind turbine may further comprise a sensor system configured to determine a position of articles being hoisted from the tower bottom to the energy generating units. Thereby the movement of a given article along the transport path can be monitored. This may be performed in a continuous manner, where the exact position of a given article at any given time is obtained. As an alternative, the sensor system may merely detect when a given articles passes a given check point along the transport path.
  • the sensor system may comprise at least one sensor arranged at the tower, at the yaw arrangement and/or at the arms carrying the energy generating units.
  • sensors may be arranged in the internal tower space, in the yaw space and/or in the internal arm space. According to this embodiment, the presence of an article at the position of a given sensor can be detected as the article passes the sensor.
  • the sensor may be of a kind which is capable of reading a machine readable code, such as a barcode, a QR code, an RFID tag, etc.
  • a machine readable code such as a barcode, a QR code, an RFID tag, etc.
  • the articles being transported may be provided with a suitable machine readable code, and the machine readable code may further comprise information related to the article being transported, such as the kind of article, the destination of the article, etc.
  • Such a machine readable code may be read as the article passes the sensor, i.e. without stopping the article.
  • the multirotor wind turbine may further comprise a warning system configured to provide an alert in the energy generating units when articles are being hoisted towards the energy generating units, or to provide an alert at the tower bottom when articles are being lowered towards the tower bottom.
  • a warning system configured to provide an alert in the energy generating units when articles are being hoisted towards the energy generating units, or to provide an alert at the tower bottom when articles are being lowered towards the tower bottom.
  • the invention provides a method for hoisting articles from a tower bottom to an energy generating unit of a multirotor wind turbine of the kind described above.
  • the articles are hoisted via the yaw arrangement, e.g. through the tower wall and/or through the outer wall, and e.g. through the yaw space formed between the tower wall and the outer wall.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a multirotor wind turbine according to an embodiment of the invention
  • FIGS. 2-5 illustrate a yaw arrangement for a multirotor wind turbine according to an embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 6 shows an outer wall part for the yaw arrangement of FIGS. 2-5 .
  • FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views of two transport containers for use in a multirotor wind turbine according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIGS. 9-31 illustrate method steps of a method for transporting articles in a multirotor wind turbine according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a multirotor wind turbine 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the wind turbine 1 comprises a tower 2 and two load carrying structures, each comprising two arms 3 extending away from the tower 2 along substantially opposite directions.
  • Each arm 3 carries an energy generating unit 4 with three wind turbine blades 5 .
  • the load carrying structures 3 are connected to the tower 2 via two separate yaw arrangements 6 , thereby allowing the lower set of arms 3 a to perform yawing movements relative to the tower 2 independently of yawing movements of the upper set of arms 3 b relative to the tower.
  • a nacelle carrying the single rotor of the wind turbine is normally connected directly to the top of the tower. Thereby the nacelle and the rotor can readily be accessed via the interior of the tower.
  • the energy generating units 4 are mounted on the arms 3 at a distance from the tower 2 .
  • the energy generating units 4 are not directly accessible from the interior of the tower 2 . Instead, they may be accessed from the outside, e.g. via hoisting from a position immediately below a relevant energy generating unit 4 , or from above via a helicopter.
  • the energy generating units 4 can be accessed from the interior of the tower 2 by means of a passage extending through a relevant yaw arrangement 6 and an interior part of a relevant arm 3 . This will be described in further detail below.
  • FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a yaw arrangement 6 for a multirotor wind turbine according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the yaw arrangement 6 comprises an outer wall part 7 arranged circumferentially about an outer surface of the tower 2 . Thereby a yaw space 8 is formed between the tower 2 and the outer wall part 7 . The space 8 can be accessed from the interior part of the tower 2 via a passage 9 .
  • Two arms 3 are attached to the outer wall part 7 and extend in a direction away from the yaw arrangement 6 and the tower 2 .
  • the arms 3 are hollow, and the interior of each arm 3 can be accessed from the space 8 formed between the tower 2 and the outer wall part 7 via a passage 10 .
  • an energy generating unit mounted on an arm 3 essentially as illustrated in FIG. 1 , can be accessed from the interior of the tower 2 via an access path extending through passage 9 , space 8 , passage 10 and the interior of the arm 3 . This allows access between the interior of the tower 2 and the interior of the arm 3 , regardless of the yaw position of the yaw arrangement 6 .
  • the outer wall part 7 is connected to the tower 2 by means of a first bearing 11 and a second bearing 12 . Thereby the outer wall part 7 can rotate relative to the tower 2 in order to orientate rotors of the energy generating units mounted on the arms 3 in accordance with the incoming wind. Accordingly, the access path described above extends across parts which are capable of performing rotational movements relative to each other.
  • the first bearing 11 interconnects a lower part of the outer wall part 7 and the tower 2
  • the second bearing 12 interconnects an upper part of the outer wall part 7 and the tower 2 .
  • the extremities of the outer wall part 7 are each supported against the tower 2 by means of a bearing 11 , 12 , thereby stabilising the structure.
  • the first bearing 11 is configured to handle axial loads as well as radial loads
  • the second bearing 12 is configured to handle radial loads, but not axial loads.
  • the axial loads are handled by the bearing 11 on which the outer wall part 7 rests, and the position where the highest axial loads are expected.
  • a platform 13 is arranged in the interior of the tower 2 at a vertical level corresponding to the position of the yaw arrangement 6 .
  • equipment as well as personnel can be received and intermediately stored. For instance, equipment may be hoisted to the platform 13 from a lower interior part of the tower 2 , using a hoisting arrangement 14 .
  • the equipment can be moved into the space 8 defined between the tower 2 and the outer wall 7 , via opening 9 . From there, the equipment can be moved into the interior of a relevant arm 3 , via opening 10 , and be moved inside the arm 3 to a relevant energy generating unit.
  • Equipment may also be moved in the opposite direction from an energy generating unit to the lower interior part of the tower 2 , via the platform 13 .
  • FIG. 3 is a detail of the yaw arrangement 6 of FIG. 2 .
  • the passage 9 between the interior part of the tower 2 and the space 8 defined between the tower 2 and the outer wall 7 can be seen more clearly than in FIG. 2 .
  • FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a part of a yaw arrangement 6 for a multirotor wind turbine according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the yaw arrangement 6 comprises an outer wall part 7 arranged circumferentially about the tower 2 , thereby forming a space 8 there between.
  • the outer wall part 7 comprises a casted section onto which the arms 3 are attached, and one or more further sections arranged above the casted section and being attached to the casted section. In FIG. 4 only the casted section is shown. Thereby the part of the outer wall part 7 where the arms 3 are attached is stronger than the remaining part of the outer wall part 7 . Accordingly, the manufacturing costs of the outer wall part 7 are minimised without compromising the strength of the outer wall part 7 .
  • FIG. 4 further illustrates equipment being transported inside the wind turbine in transport containers 15 .
  • the transport containers 15 have a size and a shape which ensures that the transport containers 15 can be moved from a position at the lower interior part of the tower 2 to an energy generating unit mounted on one of the arms 3 . Thereby it is ensured that equipment packed in one of the transport containers 15 will actually be able to reach a destination at an energy generating unit, without risking that the equipment gets stuck.
  • the yaw arrangement 6 is provided with a plurality of yaw drives 16 configured for driving the yawing movements of the outer wall part 7 relative to the tower 2 .
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the yaw arrangement 6 of FIG. 4 .
  • FIG. 5 illustrates that the transport system used for transporting equipment between the lower interior part of the tower 2 and the energy generating unit may also be used for transporting personnel. This could, e.g., be relevant in the case that personnel needs to be evacuated from the wind turbine.
  • the casted section of the outer wall part 7 is provided with a reinforcement flange 17 .
  • the reinforcement flange 17 does not extend the entire circumference of the casted section. Instead, it is positioned in the part of the casted section where the arms 3 are attached, i.e. in the part where the highest loads are expected, and where additional strength is therefore needed. Accordingly, improved strength is obtained with minimal material use.
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a casted section of the outer wall part 7 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 .
  • the casted section is formed by three segments 18 , each spanning an angle of approximately 120 °, the segments 18 being joined to each other by means of bolt connections 19 .
  • One of the segments 18 includes the reinforcement flange 17 and interface portions 20 for attaching the arms to the outer wall part 7 .
  • FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views of two different transport containers 15 for a load management system for use in a multirotor wind turbine according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the transport container 15 of FIG. 7 has a size and shape which differs from the size and shape of the transport container 15 of FIG. 8 .
  • equipment which may be accommodated in the transport container 15 of FIG. 7 may not be accommodated in the transport container 15 of FIG. 8 , and vice versa.
  • both of the transport containers 15 have outer dimensions which ensure that they can pass from a lower interior part of a tower of a multirotor wind turbine to each of the energy generating units of the multirotor wind turbine, in the manner described above.
  • the transport containers 15 provide a standardized manner of transporting equipment in a multirotor wind turbine.
  • the transport containers 15 are in the form of closed containers with a hard outer surface. Thereby the equipment being transported by means of the transport containers 15 is protected during transport.
  • the transport containers 15 are provided with eyelets 21 for connecting the transport containers 15 to a transport system, e.g. via hooks, pulleys, etc. Accordingly, the eyelets 21 provide a standardized interface between equipment being transported and the transport system.
  • the transport containers 15 may be made from a material which allows them to float, even if equipment is accommodated therein. This will allow the transport containers 15 to be dragged behind a seagoing vessel in a self-floating manner, thereby reducing the requirements with regard to storage space on the seagoing vessel.
  • FIGS. 9-31 illustrate method steps of a method for transporting articles in a multirotor wind turbine according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 9 a seagoing vessel 22 is arriving at a multirotor wind turbine positioned at an offshore site.
  • the lowermost part of the tower 2 of the multirotor wind turbine can be seen, and a transition platform 23 carrying a crane 24 is arranged on the tower 2 .
  • the seagoing vessel 22 is moored at the multirotor wind turbine, and personnel is in the process of being transferred from the seagoing vessel 22 to the transition platform 23 .
  • FIG. 11 illustrates a hoisting wire 25 being lowered from the transition platform 23 towards the seagoing vessel 22 by means of the crane 24 , and the hoisting wire 25 being attached to a transport container 15 arranged on the seagoing vessel 22 , the transport container 15 accommodating equipment 26 which has previously been packed into the transport container 15 .
  • FIG. 12 the transport container 15 is being hoisted from the seagoing vessel 22 towards the transition platform 23 by means of the crane 24 .
  • the transport container 15 has arrived at the transition platform 23 , and the crane 24 is in the process of lowering the transport container 15 onto the transition platform 23 , adjacent to an opening 27 formed in the wall of the tower 2 .
  • the transport container 15 has been connected to a transport system arranged inside the multirotor wind turbine via a wire 28 , and the transport container 15 is in the process of being pulled through the opening 27 formed in the wall of the tower 2 by means of the transport system pulling the wire 28 .
  • the transport container 15 is entering a lower interior part of the tower 2 . It can be seen that the transport container 15 has been connected to the wire 28 via the eyelet 21 .
  • a protective surface 29 is arranged on the floor, allowing the transport container 15 to slide along the floor without causing damage thereto.
  • FIG. 15 illustrates that personnel is being hoisted from the lower interior part of the tower 2 to a platform arranged at a level corresponding to the position of a lowermost yaw arrangement 6 .
  • a hoisting wire 30 is being lowered from the platform 13 towards the lower interior part of the tower 2 by means of a winch 31 .
  • the hoisting wire 30 has reached the lower interior part of the tower 2 and is in the process of being attached to the transport container 15 , which was previously moved into the lower interior part of the tower 2 .
  • FIG. 18 the transport container 15 is being hoisted from the lower interior part of the tower 2 towards the platform (not shown) by means of the hoisting wire 30 and the winch (not shown).
  • FIG. 20 the transport container 15 has been lowered onto the platform 13 and is about to be released from the hoisting wire 30 .
  • the transport container 15 has been connected to a rail system 32 arranged in the space 8 formed between the tower 2 and the outer wall part 7 , by means of a chain hoist 33 .
  • the transport container 15 can thereby be pulled through the passage 9 and into the space 8 using the chain hoist 33 .
  • FIG. 23 the transport container 15 has been pulled completely through the passage 9 and is now arranged in the space 8 and is suspended from the rail system 32 .
  • the transport container 15 is in the process of being transported inside the space 8 from the passage 9 towards a passage 10 interconnecting the space 8 and the interior of one of the arms 3 .
  • FIG. 25 the transport container 15 has been connected to another rail system 34 arranged in the interior part of the arm 3 .
  • the transport container 15 is in the process of being moved from the passage 10 towards an energy generating unit (not shown) being carried by the arm 3 , by means of the rail system 34 .
  • the transport container 15 is being moved inside the arm 3 .
  • the transport container 15 has reached a position immediately before a fire door 35 which is arranged near an entrance to the energy generating unit 4 being carried by the arm 3 .
  • the transport container 15 is about to be lowered from the rail system 34 .
  • FIG. 28 the transport container 15 has been connected to a hoisting wire 36 forming part of a hoisting system arranged in the energy generating unit 4 .
  • the transport container 15 is in the process of being pulled through an opening 37 in the fire door 35 by means of the hoisting wire 36 .
  • FIG. 29 the transport container 15 is in the process of being pulled further into the energy generating unit 4 .
  • FIG. 30 shows the transport container 15 entering the interior of the energy generating unit 4 .
  • the transport container 15 is arranged on a floor 38 inside the energy generating unit 4 and has been released from the hoisting wire.
  • the transport container 15 has been opened, thereby allowing access to equipment 26 which has been transported inside the transport container 15 . Accordingly, the equipment 26 can now be used for performing a schedule service task at the energy generating unit 4 .

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Wind Motors (AREA)
  • Iron Core Of Rotating Electric Machines (AREA)
  • Turbine Rotor Nozzle Sealing (AREA)
US17/287,576 2018-11-15 2019-11-13 A multirotor wind turbine Abandoned US20210317813A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DKPA201870749 2018-11-15
DKPA201870749 2018-11-15
PCT/DK2019/050348 WO2020098895A1 (fr) 2018-11-15 2019-11-13 Éolienne à rotors multiples

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US20210317813A1 true US20210317813A1 (en) 2021-10-14

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US17/287,576 Abandoned US20210317813A1 (en) 2018-11-15 2019-11-13 A multirotor wind turbine

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US (1) US20210317813A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP3880953B1 (fr)
CN (1) CN113015851A (fr)
ES (1) ES2947449T3 (fr)
WO (1) WO2020098895A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20220341401A1 (en) * 2019-10-01 2022-10-27 Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy A/S Nacelle housing with service hatch
US11506188B2 (en) * 2019-11-27 2022-11-22 Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy A/S Hatch arrangement for closing an opening in a floor of a wind turbine and a wind turbine
US11624353B2 (en) 2019-11-26 2023-04-11 Vestas Wind Systems A/S Installation of cables and other components in a wind turbine tower
US12031525B2 (en) * 2019-10-01 2024-07-09 Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy A/S Nacelle housing with service hatch

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN117662406A (zh) * 2022-08-30 2024-03-08 江苏金风科技有限公司 风力发电机组

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DK2520792T4 (en) * 2011-05-05 2018-08-06 Siemens Ag Hoisting system and method of providing a hoisting system
JP6113180B2 (ja) * 2011-11-17 2017-04-12 トサン ヘビー インダストリーズ アンド コンストラクション カンパニー，リミティド マルチ型風力発電装置
US10138865B2 (en) * 2012-11-29 2018-11-27 Vestas Wind Systems A/S Method for moving wind turbine components and transport system for moving wind turbine components
US20180023543A1 (en) * 2015-03-30 2018-01-25 Vestas Wind Systems A/S A wind turbine comprising two or more rotors
WO2017178026A1 (fr) * 2016-04-15 2017-10-19 Vestas Wind Systems A/S Turbine éolienne à rotors multiples dotée d'une plateforme
CN109416016B (zh) * 2016-06-27 2021-01-01 维斯塔斯风力系统有限公司 包括用于在移除机舱期间承载转子的停驻结构的风轮机

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20220341401A1 (en) * 2019-10-01 2022-10-27 Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy A/S Nacelle housing with service hatch
US12031525B2 (en) * 2019-10-01 2024-07-09 Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy A/S Nacelle housing with service hatch
US11624353B2 (en) 2019-11-26 2023-04-11 Vestas Wind Systems A/S Installation of cables and other components in a wind turbine tower
US11506188B2 (en) * 2019-11-27 2022-11-22 Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy A/S Hatch arrangement for closing an opening in a floor of a wind turbine and a wind turbine

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3880953A1 (fr) 2021-09-22
CN113015851A (zh) 2021-06-22
EP3880953C0 (fr) 2023-06-07
EP3880953B1 (fr) 2023-06-07
WO2020098895A1 (fr) 2020-05-22
ES2947449T3 (es) 2023-08-09

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